Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture

Maple syrup producers hosted at legislature (06/04/07)

NB 385

April 7, 2006

FREDERICTON (CNB) - Members of the New Brunswick Maple Syrup Association were hosted recently at the legislative assembly, where MLAs and staff
were presented with maple syrup. Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister David Alward hosted the group.

Alward commended executive director Yvon Poitras for his work on behalf of New Brunswick's maple syrup producers, and commented on the importance of
the industry for the province.

"New Brunswick is the third-largest producer of maple syrup in the country," Alward said. "The industry is worth $12 million to the economy of New
Brunswick, and creates about 2,300 jobs for 12 weeks of the year, with a number of larger producers having year-round operations."

There are currently 300 maple syrup producers in New Brunswick, with more than 1.5 million taps, and room to expand. The province produces in excess of
five million pounds of maple syrup annually.

The annual value of maple products such as syrup, sugar and taffy is about $8 million. In 2005, maple syrup exports were worth $2 million.

"I would like to thank New Brunswick producers for their hard work and dedication in producing such a high-quality product," Alward said. "It's important
for consumers to encourage local producers by insisting that the maple products they buy are made in New Brunswick."